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Maine Cannabis Facts

One of the most important Maine marijuana facts dates back to November 02, 1999, when Ballot Question 2 was approved in Main. This effectively removed all state-level criminal penalties on the use, possession and cultivation of marijuana, by patients who have either an oral or written “medical opinion” stating that he or she “may benefit from the medical use of marijuana”, from their medical physician.

Senate Bill 611, on April 02, 2002, amended the maximum legal amount of usable marijuana qualified patients may possess, from one and one-quarter to two and one-half (2.5) ounces.

On November 8, 2016, Maine voters chose to legalize marijuana for recreational use, making the state one of only two states in the Northeast to do so. However, the winning margin of the “yes” votes was razor-thin — less than one percentage point. As a result, opponents demanded a statewide recall. According to the Bangor Daily News, they dropped their efforts on December 17, 2016, when they realized the recount would not reverse the results. Under the new law, Maine residents will be able to possess up to 2.5 ounces of weed.

Maine Medical Marijuana Facts

As of February 2017, there were 1,723 Patients in possession of a Maine Medical Marijuana Card according to the medical marijuana statistics of the Maine Department of Health. At the same time there were 310 applications still pending.

211 caregivers have been authorized, 27 are pending.

126 doctors have recommended medical marijuana in Maine since the new system was put into place.

Maine marijuana patients are most heavily concentrated in Cumberland, Kennebec and York counties.

Over 60% of doctors who have recommended medical marijuana in Maine specialize in family practice. Internal medicine specialists are a distant second at roughly 15% of the total.

Very few dispensaries are available for marijuana patients, in fact, only 3 have been authorized so far: Maine Organic Therapy, Remedy Compassion Center and Safe Alternatives. Another 5 are pending

As of March 2011, $211,176 had been spent by the state to set up and manage the medical marijuana program.

The 2016 legalization vote created a scramble among medical marijuana dispensaries in the state to lobby the legislature to allow them to tap into the new recreational market.

As of February 2017, legislators were considering a moratorium on the cannabis legalization initiative so the state would have more time to develop new regulations. It was expected it would take until February 2018 for weed to be available through retail sales.

MarijuanaDoctors.com will regularly update medical marijuana facts for Maine and all other U.S. states. Check back with us often to get updated information as developments warrant.